Avoid this Craigslist Real Estate Scam

A few times a month, I get a call from a tenant candidate who is trying toconfirm information they have been receiving from a "homeowner". The sad reality is, that 99.9% of the time, it's a Craigslist real estate scam. Let me lay the scam out for you so you'll recognize it before you become a victim.

• The home is listed on Craigslist at below market rent.
• The supposed homeowner will correspond with you via email.
• He/she is always out of town on business, moved for a job, is visiting relatives, etc. He/she is never in the area when you want to meet up.
• He/she has fired his/her Realtor because of incompetence, and now he/she is handling the rental alone. Ignore the Realtor sign in the yard and the lockbox on the door, and don't call the Realtor because there is bad blood between them. Besides, the Realtor doesn't have access any longer.
• He/she cannot open the house for you because he/she is out of town. Go by and look in the windows.
• Send your money order security deposit and first month's rent via FedEx to some out of the area address. 
• The keys will be FedEx'd to you when the funds are received. 

And, with that, say goodbye to your money. The scammer has moved on to the next victim. Here is some advice to help you avoid being scammed.

• Always call the Realtor on the sign. 
• Never give your info out to someone who will not meet you in person.
• Never send money to someone who will not meet you in person.
• Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

Be careful out there. There is always a low-life who is willing to relieve you of your money. Don't be a victim, let's figure out how to make them victims.